Teachers at Lanier Primary and Bryan County Elementary School recently dug into their own pockets to purchase school supplies which they donated to a public elementary school in Santa Elena, Honduras.

Diane Padgett, Curriculum Resource Teacher for both schools, took the supplies and distributed them to the very appreciative teachers in Honduras.

The school supplies were very welcomed and the teachers were overwhelmed at the donations sent from their American counterparts.

The average teacher in Santa Elena earns about $300 per month and teaches two school sessions each day. This salary is considered good pay for the citizens in this small community, so the teachers are expected to purchase all their own supplies.

Some of the classes have as many as 65 students. The school is very old and in much need of repair. The furniture appears to be decades old and students have to share desks in the overcrowded rooms.

There are no air conditioners; therefore the windows and doors stay open during the day.

During fly season it seems almost unbearable. Mrs. Padgett said "visiting schools such as the one in Santa Elena makes you realize just how fortunate we are in Bryan County." Teachers in Bryan County are furnished an abundant amount of supplies to use for instruction. Classrooms are clean, air conditioned, heated, and well stocked with technology and other essential items.

The director of the Santa Elena School sent a thank you letter to the Bryan County schools and shared his appreciation of the generous donations.